Transcript What Every Parent Needs To Know About Inhalant

What Every Parent Needs To
Know About Inhalant Abuse
What Is Inhalant Abuse?
• Deliberate inhalation of
fumes, vapors or gases
to “get high”
• “Sniffing” or “Huffing”
• More than 1,400
household products
• High of choice for 6-12
year olds
Inhalant Abuse Starts Early
• 26% (1 in 4) children in 6th grade have used
inhalants
• Fourth most abused substances after
cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana
• Can lead to later abuse of illegal drugs
Commonly Abused Products
• Gases
– Nitrous oxide, helium, refrigerants,
propane
• Cleaning Agents
– Spot remover, degreaser
• Solvents and Fuels
– Butane propane, nail polish remover,
paint thinner/remover, correction fluid,
permanent markers, gasoline, engine
octane boosters
Commonly Abused Products
• Aerosols
– Spray paint, hair spray, air freshener,
deodorant, fabric protector, computer
keyboard cleaners
• Adhesives
– Model airplane glue, rubber cement,
PVC cement
• Foods
– Cooking spray, aerosol whipped
cream toppings
How It’s Done
• Sniffing from a container, bag (“Bagging”),
cans, clothing
• Inhaling from a chemical-soaked rag, open
container or balloon (Huffing)
• Putting a bag over one’s head and huffing
For maximum effect, children inhale deeply
and then take several more short breaths
Risky Business:
• Nervous system and brain damage
• Sometimes irreversible damage to liver
and kidneys, bone marrow
• Hearing loss
• Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome
– Children can die the first time or any time
– Usually associated with cardiac arrest.
Be on “High” Alert
• “Highs” are temporary
• First clues
– Change in behaviors at home and school
– Drop in grades, loss of interest in favorite activities
– Change in group of friends or activities
• Medical signs are often non-specific
– Healthcare professionals often baffled by symptoms
– No quick diagnostic tests available
Other Signs
• Investigate if your child has:
– Drunk, dazed or dizzy appearance
– Glassy, dazed or watery eyes and nose
– Slurred or disoriented speech
– Physical lack of coordination
– Nausea and/or loss of appetite
– Spots and/or sores around the mouth
– Chemical odor on clothing or breath
Short-Term Effects
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Headache
Muscle weakness
Abdominal pain
Severe mood swings
Violent behavior
Slurred speech
Numbness, tingling in
hands and feet
• Visual disturbances
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Fatigue
Lack of coordination
Apathy
Impaired judgment
Dizziness
Lethargy
Stupor
Loss of consciousness
Limb spasms
Long-Term Effects
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Weight loss
Muscle weakness
Disorientation
Inattentiveness
Lack of coordination
Irritability
Depression
What To Look For
• Having multiple household products without a
reason
• Hidden baggies, rags, or empty aerosols in
unusual places
• Whipped topping or other aerosols are always
low on propellant
• Child overuses perfumes, body sprays, breath
mints to mask odor of solvent-based inhalants
Other Warning Signs
• Paint, other products on face, lips, nose or fingers
• Fingernails painted with permanent markers or
typewriter correction fluid
• Constant smelling of clothing, markers, rags
• Butane lighters (empty or partially filled ) or refill
cans especially if student doesn’t smoke
• Multiple cans or overuse of computer keyboard
cleaners
Common Slang Terms
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Aimies
Air blast
Bagging
Bolt
Boppers
Bullet
Buzz bomb
Chroming
Climax
Dusting
Glading
Heart-on
Highball
Hippie crack
Honey oil
Laughing Gas
Medusa
Moon Gas
Oz
Pearls
Poor man’s pot
Poppers
Quicksilver
Rush
Rush snappers
Shoot the Breeze
Snotballs
Texas shoe shine
Thrust
Tolly
Toncho
Whippets
Whiteout
There Are No Cures
• Traditional drug treatment
facilities do not like to admit
inhalant abusers
– Failure rate is very high
– Treatment takes months, possibly
years
– Addiction to inhalants is as strong as
that to cocaine
Parental Action Is Important
• Talk with school personnel
• Discuss Inhalant Abuse with other parents
– Address the issue at local PTA- PTO
meetings, church, community gatherings
• Talk to your children about inhalants when
you discuss smoking, and alcohol and
drug abuse
– Start these discussions early
For Younger Children
• Talk about oxygen and how it sustains life
• Play a game: “It is safe to smell or touch?”
• Discuss the purpose of household products
– Read product labels together
– Make sure children know that some household
and garage items are not safe to breathe
repeatedly or use recklessly
– Ventilate all areas
• Educate your child by setting a good example
For Older Children
• Tell your children you love them
– Their health and safety is your #1 priority
• Ask if they know about inhalant abuse
• Reinforce peer resistance skills
– Not the way to “fit in”
• Tell them about the consequences
– Inhalant abuse is dangerous, sometimes deadly
• Monitor your teen’s activities
– Set boundaries, ask questions, be firm, know their
friends, friends’ parents, and where they hang out
• Educate your teen about the dangers but do not
mention specific products
Treatment Options Are
Limited
• Inhalant abusers differ from drug abusers
– Often have multiple problems
• Treatment is more complicated,
– Requires more time and resources
– Most treatment facilities not equipped to
handle complexity of abusers’ needs
• Resource materials available online at
www.inhalant.org
In Emergencies
• If the child is unconscious or not breathing
– Call 911and administer CPR
• If conscious, keep child calm and in a well-ventilated
area
• Do not leave the child alone
• Excitement may cause heart dysfunction
– Stay calm, do not excite or argue with the child
• Check for clues, try to identify product abused
– Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for advice
Our Goal: To help educate parents about inhalant abuse so
that they can discuss this dangerous behavior when they
discuss smoking, alcohol or illegal drug use with their
children
PLEASE TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN SOON!